good chance pau can thrive with nash in the pick n roll game tho,so thats the final test..

yeah but if Pau never rolls to the basket then that will be an issue and eve nwhen him and Kobe run pick and rolls he barely does that. He just doesn't seem engaged unless he HAS to be. We need a sense of urgency from him every night. He is the guy that we can't afford not showing up.

he's the 4th/5th option on the team in terms of scoring and he's headed towards having his best year I think that's a good sign. It's Pau I'm worried about with his 10% drop in field goal percentage and all around disinterest.

Majesty, I think it's awesome how you seem to stick up all the time for the underdog on these forums and do your best to make compelling arguments...but c'mon man...you seem like you know a lot about Bball...what's your deal supporting metta right now? Think about what you keep saying, "he's our 4th/5th option" you've been saying that a lot to support metta, but you're overlooking the obvious.

If he's our 4th/5th option, why is he shooting so much more than some of the other guys infront of him on the offensive totem pole? When you give him the ball it should automatically count as a turnover, because basically it's going to be a jacked up shot 72% of the time....long rebound for a transition score for the other team.

His defense is alright, and I think everyone here would give metta an A+ for effort, but dude... he's trash on offense.

Here's the solution for metta, give him 3 shots to take early game to do a heat check...if he bricks, then no more for him unless he's wide open and we've exhausted all other options within the 24 sec clock.

Majesty, I think it's awesome how you seem to stick up all the time for the underdog on these forums and do your best to make compelling arguments...but c'mon man...you seem like you know a lot about Bball...what's your deal supporting metta right now? Think about what you keep saying, "he's our 4th/5th option" you've been saying that a lot to support metta, but you're overlooking the obvious.

If he's our 4th/5th option, why is he shooting so much more than some of the other guys infront of him on the offensive totem pole? When you give him the ball it should automatically count as a turnover, because basically it's going to be a jacked up shot 72% of the time....long rebound for a transition score for the other team.

His defense is alright, and I think everyone here would give metta an A+ for effort, but dude... he's trash on offense.

Here's the solution for metta, give him 3 shots to take early game to do a heat check...if he bricks, then no more for him unless he's wide open and we've exhausted all other options within the 24 sec clock.

Problem with that is, if it was that easy Pau would be taking 19 shots a game 15 from the post.

But it isn't unfortunately and Pau doesn't seem to want to be there though he'd be most effective from that position.

Know the play where Kobe posted up and waited for Dwight to get open so he could throw the oop to him?

Wouldn't that be so much easier if Kobe was 7 foot... if only we had a 7 foot player that could play the post and pass as well as that to get Dwight easy looks or punish other teams from that position..

Raptors:
Low post presence
Mentor Valunciunas?
Win games (pretty sure Raptors fans won't like the idea of handing a single digit lottery pick to the Thunder)

Calderon and his contract are as goner anyway, and Bargs, talentwise, is a downgrade over Pau — He's softer than Pau, he can't rebound. He's a good passer, but not as good as Pau.... But he'd fit well in D'Antoni's system. A change of scenery might do him good too. Don't think he'll be part of what the Raptors are trying to doin the future.

Ron is a horrific offensive player, if you take into account everything an offensive player is supposed to do (shoot, drive, dribble, pass, move). Really, Artest is a decent off-ball player, but a lot of credit goes to his teammates, for getting him wide open (and the opposing team, knowing who to leave open).

Gasol has never attempted 15+ shots a game in his career. That, alone, indicates that he's not a scorer...even as a primary option back in Memphis. He can still pass...there's no doubt about that. Other than passing, and a mid-range jumper at the elbow...he's pretty insignificant on offense.

Ron's defense makes up for his terrible offensive game, though...while Gasol is really only good at contesting shots. Otherwise, he's getting there late, not rotating correctly, or having trouble defending physical players down low.

Ron isn't the defensive specialist he used to be...couldn't really stay with Parker tonight, and a few physical SF's can light him up...but he's still a pest with very quick hands.

------------

Back to Gasol...if we get a decent deal, we should consider it. A big NO to Bargnani and Calderon, though. You'd basically bring in two players who are a DISASTER on the defensive end, and if you hate how soft Gasol is, wait until you see his younger clone in Bargnani, who thinks he's Dirk Nowitzki.

Calderon may be the worst defensive PG in the NBA...that includes bench PG's.

A Gasol/Smith trade is enticing, because it gives Howard just another reason to stick around (Smith and Howard are great friends), and furthermore, it gives Nash another teammate that will run the break with him. Plus, Josh Smith is a very good defensive player that can defend three positions on the floor, possibly four (depending on the PG).

I doubt all of this is about Gasol's mistake tonight, though. This thread was created long before tonight's game, and we know he has been contributing less and less as we go along.

Ron is a horrific offensive player, if you take into account everything an offensive player is supposed to do (shoot, drive, dribble, pass, move). Really, Artest is a decent off-ball player, but a lot of credit goes to his teammates, for getting him wide open (and the opposing team, knowing who to leave open).

Gasol has never attempted 15+ shots a game in his career. That, alone, indicates that he's not a scorer...even as a primary option back in Memphis. He can still pass...there's no doubt about that. Other than passing, and a mid-range jumper at the elbow...he's pretty insignificant on offense.

Ron's defense makes up for his terrible offensive game, though...while Gasol is really only good at contesting shots. Otherwise, he's getting there late, not rotating correctly, or having trouble defending physical players down low.

Ron isn't the defensive specialist he used to be...couldn't really stay with Parker tonight, and a few physical SF's can light him up...but he's still a pest with very quick hands.

------------

Back to Gasol...if we get a decent deal, we should consider it. A big NO to Bargnani and Calderon, though. You'd basically bring in two players who are a DISASTER on the defensive end, and if you hate how soft Gasol is, wait until you see his younger clone in Bargnani, who thinks he's Dirk Nowitzki.

Calderon may be the worst defensive PG in the NBA...that includes bench PG's.

A Gasol/Smith trade is enticing, because it gives Howard just another reason to stick around (Smith and Howard are great friends), and furthermore, it gives Nash another teammate that will run the break with him. Plus, Josh Smith is a very good defensive player that can defend three positions on the floor, possibly four (depending on the PG).

I doubt all of this is about Gasol's mistake tonight, though. This thread was created long before tonight's game, and we know he has been contributing less and less as we go along.

Since we can't really do a "straight up" Gasol for Smith trade. Do you see the possibility of a Morrow thrown in? And if so what does that do for our bench?

Not really high on Josh SmithHe's not smart, he can't create for himself and his teammates, he can't be relied on the FT linem, he's a terrible jumpshooter who always insist on shooting jumpers,

He's been in the league for 9 years, yet he's still doing the same things

That's all true, yet his defense, athleticism, and efficiency are all better than Bargnani's. Hell, Bargs has shot over 45% just ONCE in his career (47%), and he's seven feet tall. He's also not that great of a shooter...under 37% 3PT for his career, attempting just under four a night on average...that's not worthy of a mention...so what does Bargnani really do for us?

Since we can't really do a "straight up" Gasol for Smith trade. Do you see the possibility of a Morrow thrown in? And if so what does that do for our bench?

Atlanta would probably try and give us Korver instead...worth a million more, 4-5 years older, less defensively-talented. I'd be okay with Korver, also, because he would rain threes on everyone, but Morrow can shoot just as well every other night.

I wonder if the Lakers would prefer Korver. With Meeks coming off the bench, and both Korver and Jamison, you can basically stick those three out there with Dwight and Blake, and play a TRUE "four out, one in" and watch the old Orlando Magic all over again.

That's all true, yet his defense, athleticism, and efficiency are all better than Bargnani's. Hell, Bargs has shot over 45% just ONCE in his career (47%), and he's seven feet tall. He's also not that great of a shooter...under 37% 3PT for his career, attempting just under four a night on average...that's not worthy of a mention...so what does Bargnani really do for us?

Atlanta would probably try and give us Korver instead...worth a million more, 4-5 years older, less defensively-talented. I'd be okay with Korver, also, because he would rain threes on everyone, but Morrow can shoot just as well every other night.

I wonder if the Lakers would prefer Korver. With Meeks coming off the bench, and both Korver and Jamison, you can basically stick those three out there with Dwight and Blake, and play a TRUE "four out, one in" and watch the old Orlando Magic all over again.

Our bench would probably be closer to running what D'antoni ran in Phoenix than our starting lineup would and that's a very good thing imo.

Our bench would probably be closer to running what D'antoni ran in Phoenix than our starting lineup would and that's a very good thing imo.

They could go that route, also, especially if Gasol is out there, instead of Howard. I'd rather see them run SVG/Howard's offense, though, if it's Dwight...he's more likely to break down a defense than Steve Blake is.

Dealing Gasol would be a stretch, because of his contract + the fact that he has a trade kicker. That being said, if Atlanta or someone wants him, I wouldn't hesitate too much, especially if it's for a defensive wing or Josh Smith. However, I expect Mitch to wait closer to the deadline before making such a move. So many things have been shaken up already, I think he will give it time to settle down first before making any major decisions.

Ron is a horrific offensive player, if you take into account everything an offensive player is supposed to do (shoot, drive, dribble, pass, move). Really, Artest is a decent off-ball player, but a lot of credit goes to his teammates, for getting him wide open (and the opposing team, knowing who to leave open).

Gasol has never attempted 15+ shots a game in his career. That, alone, indicates that he's not a scorer...even as a primary option back in Memphis. He can still pass...there's no doubt about that. Other than passing, and a mid-range jumper at the elbow...he's pretty insignificant on offense.

Ron's defense makes up for his terrible offensive game, though...while Gasol is really only good at contesting shots. Otherwise, he's getting there late, not rotating correctly, or having trouble defending physical players down low.

Ron isn't the defensive specialist he used to be...couldn't really stay with Parker tonight, and a few physical SF's can light him up...but he's still a pest with very quick hands.

------------

Back to Gasol...if we get a decent deal, we should consider it. A big NO to Bargnani and Calderon, though. You'd basically bring in two players who are a DISASTER on the defensive end, and if you hate how soft Gasol is, wait until you see his younger clone in Bargnani, who thinks he's Dirk Nowitzki.

Calderon may be the worst defensive PG in the NBA...that includes bench PG's.

A Gasol/Smith trade is enticing, because it gives Howard just another reason to stick around (Smith and Howard are great friends), and furthermore, it gives Nash another teammate that will run the break with him. Plus, Josh Smith is a very good defensive player that can defend three positions on the floor, possibly four (depending on the PG).

I doubt all of this is about Gasol's mistake tonight, though. This thread was created long before tonight's game, and we know he has been contributing less and less as we go along.

What about Barnagi & Amir Johnson for Pau how you like that get a lil offense & athletic wing for Nash in transition & long rangy defender with good foot speed?

why cant Pau block a shot of Duncans where he doesnt even elevate for a layup? I mean there are so many late game situations where guards all the way up thru bigs just get to the lane and always get their layup attempts over Pau's weak defense. He is so soft & he must not work on getting stronger in lower body at all over the summers cuz the same sheet still plagues him.

What about Barnagi & Amir Johnson for Pau how you like that get a lil offense & athletic wing for Nash in transition & long rangy defender with good foot speed?

That means Jamison would be moved down to the three, permanently.

To me, Jordan Hill is better than Amir, and they are similar in what they contribute to a team. Hill is also cheaper, and he has been in the NBA for three years (Amir seven, yet they are the same age).

So, really, it would be like us landing an extra Jordan Hill, and swapping Gasol's high IQ and passing with Bargnani's willingness to score the ball and ability to spread the floor better than Pau...and I'm not really sure if I'd want that.

I really wish we could land Derrick Favors. There's SO much potential there, and he needs to be elsewhere. If we're going to look at defensive PF's that can learn a lot from someone like Kobe (back on offense, Kobe can work with him in the post), Favors is the man. He could be an all-star someday, if he is paired with someone that can teach him how to score better, because his defense is flying under the radar right now.